The Gwagwalada Upper Area Court has issued a bench warrant for a surety, Gambo Sambo, for concealing an accused.

The police charged Sambo, who resides in New Kutunku, Gwagwalada, with screening of an offender.

The judge, Abdullahi Abdulkarim, issued the warrant following an oral application by the prosecution counsel, S.K. Iyakwo.

“I revoke the bail of the defendant for being absent without communicating to the court, even when he is aware of today’s date. 

“Hence, a bench warrant of arrest is issued against him, and the surety should be served a notice to show cause while the bail bond entered should not be forfeited,” he ruled.

He adjourned the matter until February 13 for a hearing.

Mr Iyakwo had prayed the court to revoke the defendant’s bail for not appearing to defend the charge against him.

He told the court that on April 23, 2023, the defendant came to Gwagwalada Police Station and surety Yakubu Baba of Old Kutunku, Gwagwalada Abuja.

He said the defendant stood as a surety for Mr Baba, who was alleged to have committed the offence of criminal breach of trust and cheating.

He said the defendant promised to bring him to the station on May 30, 2023, which, in default to the bond, would forfeit to the federal government N550,000.

The prosecutor said the defendant deliberately refused to produce Mr Baba for prosecution.

The offence, he said, contravened section 167 of the Penal Code. 

(NAN)